Package for light bulbs

ABSTRACT

A PACKAGE FOR A PAIR OF LIGHT BULBS. THE PACKAGE IS FOLDED FROM A BLANK OF CHEVRON SHAPE HAVING A POINTED AND A NOTCHED END. A SLIT ALONG THE CENTER LINE OF THE BLANK BEGINS AT THE NOTCHED END AND EXTEND TOWARD THE POINTED END. THE BLANK IS PROVIDED WITH FIRST AND SECOND SETS OF SCORE LINES, LINES IN EACH SET BEING PARALLEL TO EDGES OF THE BLANK DEFINING THE POINTED END AND THUS ANGLED WITH RESPECT TO THE SIDE EDGES OF THE BLANK. THE SETS OF SCORE LINES INTERSECT SUBSTANTIALLY AT THE SLIT, DIVIDING THE BLANK INTO ALTERNATE SETS OF TRIANGULAR PANELS TO PROVIDE TWO SETS OF TRIANGULAR PANELS ON EACH SIDE OF THE SLIT. EACH TRIANGULAR PANEL OF ONE SET OF PANELS ON EACH SIDE HAS ITS BASE ALONG A SIDE EDGE OF THE BLANK AND ITS APEX AT THE SLIT. EACH TRIANGULAR PANEL OF THE OTHER SET ON EACH SIDE   OF THE SLIT HAS ITS BASE ALONG THE SLIT AND ITS APEX AT A SIDE EDGE OF THE BLANK. THUS, WHEN THE SECTIONS OF THE BLANK ARE EACH FOLDED ALONG THE SCORE LINES IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AND CORRESPONDING EDGES OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND PAIRS ARE SECURED TOGETHER, THE PACKAGE HAS A PAIR OF COMPARTMENTS EACH HAVING A PLURALITY F PERIPHERAL TRIANGULAR OPENING AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE COMPARTMENT THROUGH ONE OF WHICH OPENINGS THE PORTION OF A LIGHT BULB MAY BE INSERTED AND THEREBY CONFINED WITHIN THE COMPARTMENT.

May 23, 1912 v B. L, LESAR 3,664,571

PACKAGE FOR LIGHT. BULBS Fil ed Oct. 29, 1970 4 Sheets-Sheet J.

y 23, 1972 8.7L. LESAR 3,664,571

PACKAGE FOR LIGHT BULBS Filed Oct. 29, 1970 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5

y 1972 B. 1.. LESAR PACKAGE FOR LIGHT BULBS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 29, 1970 y 1972 B. L. LESAR 3,664,571

PACKAGE FOR LIGHT BULBS Filed Oct. 29, 1970 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG] f Patented May 23, 1972 3,664,571 PACKAGE FOR LIGHT BULBS Byron L. Lesar, University City, Mo. (7723 Blackberry, St. Louis, Mo. 63130) Filed Oct. 29, 1970, Ser. No. 85,109 Int. Cl. B65d 71 /00, 75/00 US. Cl. 229-39 B 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A package for a pair of light bulbs. The package is folded from a blank of chevron shape having a pointed and a notched end. A slit along the center line of the blank begins at the notched end and extends toward the pointed end. The blank is provided with first and second sets of score lines, lines in each set being parallel to edges of the blank defining the pointed end and thus angled with respect to the side edges of the blank. The sets of score lines intersect substantially at the slit, dividing the blank into alternate sets of triangular panels to provide two sets of triangular panels on each side of the slit. Each triangular panel of one set of panels on each side has its base along a side edge of the blank and its apex at the slit. Each triangular panel of the other set on each side of the slit has its base along the slit and its apex at a side edge of the blank. Thus, when the sections of the blank are each folded along the score lines in opposite directions and corresponding edges of said first and second pairs are secured together, the package has a pair of compartments each having a plurality of peripheral triangular openings at opposite ends of the compartment through one of which openings the portion of a light bulb may be inserted and thereby confined within the compartment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to containers for electric light bulbs and, more particularly, to an improved package for a pair of electric light bulbs or other bulbous objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a package for a pair of light bulbs or similar bulbous objects; the provision of such a package using considerably less material than conventional rectangular light bulb packages, e.g., of the order of half as much material; the provision of such a package consuming less overall volume and having less total weight than conventional rectangular light bulb packages; the provision of such a light bulb package which is esthetically pleasing and novel in appearance; the provision of such a package which provides good protection for light bulbs to minimize breakage thereof; and the provision of such a package which is simply and easily constructed and thereby economically manufactured. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Briefly, the invention involves a package for a pair of light bulbs or similar bulbous objects. The package is folded from a blank of chevron shape and preferably of corrugated paper or cardboard. The blank has a pointed end defined by a first pair of intersecting edges angled with respect to the side edges of the blank and a notched end defined by a second pair of intersecting edges each of which is substantially parallel to a corresponding edge of the first pair. The blank is provided with a slit along its center line beginning at the intersection of the second pair of edges and extending toward the intersection of the first pair of edges thereby dividing the blank into two sections. The blank has a first set of score lines each angled with respect to the side edges of the blank and substantially parallel to one of the edges of the first pair. There is a second set of score lines each angled with respect to the side edges of the blank and substantially parallel to the other edge of the first pair. These sets of score lines intersect substantially at the slit and divide the blank into alternate sets of triangular panels. There is one set of said triangular panels on each side of the slit each triangular panel of which has its base along a side edge of the blank and its apex at the slit. A further set of said triangular panels is provided on each side of the slit each triangular panel of which has its base along the slit and its apex at a side edge of the blank. Accordingly, when the sections of the blank are each folded along the score lines in opposite directions and corresponding edges of said first and second pairs are secured together, the package includes a pair of compartments each having a plurality of peripheral triangular Walls constituted by the triangular panels and a pair of triangular openings at opposite ends of the compartment through one of which openings the bulbous portion of a light bulb or other bulbous object may be inserted and thereby confined within the compartment. In the preferred embodiment, the package includes also a thin sleeve telescoped thereon, i.e., over the folded blank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective of a light bulb package of the invention and depicted as containing two light bulbs;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are side elevation and a right end elevation, respectively, of the package of BIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank utilized to construct the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a blank useful in making a sleeve adapted to be telescoped on the FIG. 1 package;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing a different perspective of the package of FIG. 1 and showing also a perspective of the sleeve folded from the blank shown in FIG. 5, the sleeve being shown in position for being telescoped on the package;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank utilized to construct a package of the invention having four bulb compartments; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective of a package constructed from the blank of FIG. 7.

Corresponding reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a package of the present invention is designated generally 11 and includes a pair of compartments 13 and 15 each adapted to protectively confine and surround the bulbous portion of a light bulb. Light bulbs so packaged are shown to include respective bulbous portions 17 and 19. The screw base portions 21 and 23 of the bulbs each nestles against the opposite bulb compartment.

Each of the compartments 13 and 15 is seen to be of octahedral geometry, each being constituted by six identical triangular panels providing peripheral walls and two triangular openings, of shape identical with the panels, at opposite ends of ahe compartment. Compartment 13 is formed by triangular panels consecutively designated 25- 35 and compartment 15 is formed by triangular panels consecutively designated 45-55. The panels of both compartments are here shown to be equilateral, though they may be isosceles as explained hereinbelow. It may be observed that the panels forming there two compartments have a correspondnig position and planar orientation, corresponding panels having corresponding designation. E.g., panel 25 corresponds with panel 45, and panel 33 corresponds with panel 53, et cetrea. Of these corresponding panels, the two panels of each of the pairs 25, 45; 29', 49; 31, 51; and 35, 55 are coplanar.

Panels 27 and 53 are also coplanar and are integrally joined along their common sides thereby joining the two compartments into a single package. The package is rhombic in cross-section, as FIG. 3 illustrates.

Theer exists a parallel relationship between certain of the panels of compartment 13. Le., panels of the following pairs lie in planes which are parallel: 25, 31; 27, 33; and 29, 35. There are corresponding pairs of parallel panels as to compartment 15, viz., 45, 51; 47, 53; and 49, 55. It follows that corresponding panels of the two campartments are also coplanar, much as those of the pair 29, 55, et cetera.

The dimensions of the compartments are much as to relatively closely confine and enclose the bulbous portions of the light bulbs and are such that the triangular openings must be distorted somewhat to insert the bulbs. The altitude of each triangular panel approximates the light bulb diameter.

In accordance with the invention, the package is folded from a blank of chevron shape which is designated generally 57 in FIG. 4. Preferably, the blank is of corrugated paper or cardboard for strength. The blank has a pointed end 59 defined by a first pair of interesecting edges 61 and 63 angled with respect to parallel side edges 65 and 67. The blank has an opposite end 69 defined by a second pair of intersecting edges 71 and 73 each of which is substantially parallel to a corresponding one of the first pair of edges 61 and 63.

The blank is scored with intersecting sets of parallel score lines. A first set includes score lines 75, 77 and 79 which extend between side edges 65 and 67 in an angled relationship with respect to the side edges. Each of these score lines is parallel to edge 63, as well as to the edge 73. A second set includes score lines 81, 83 and 85 which similarly extend between the side edges and which are angled with respect thereto. Each of score lines 81, 83 and 85 is parallel to edge 61 or edge 71. Each score line has two portions identified by the subscripts a and b. Portions 75a85a lie to one side of the center line of the blank and portions 75b-85b lie to the other side.

The blank is provided with a slit 87 along the center line beginning at the intersection of edges 71 and 73 and extending toward the intersection of edges 61 and 63. The score lines 75-85 intersect at slit 87, which terminates at the intersection of score lines 79 and 85. Slit 87 thus divides the blank into two sections and the intersecting score lines divide the blank into alternate sets of generally identical triangular panels which are identified in FIGS. 1-3 and so designated in FIG. 4.

The panels are equilateral in the blank illustrated, as noted previously. However, the panels may be isoceles to provide the folded package with a somewhat elongated or foreshortened geometry. If the sides of the triangles which extend along the score lines are longer than the respective bases along the slit 87 or sides 65 or 67 of the blank, an elongation of the package results so as to facilitate packaging of light bulbs with longer necks. Foreshortening results if the triangle sides along the score lines are shorter than the respective bases. Of course, the sides of each triangle which lie along the score lines are identical in length.

As will be seen from FIG. 4, there is one set of the triangular panels on each side of slit 87 each of which has its base along a side edge of the blank and its apex at slit 87. Such panels on one side of slit 87 are 25, 33 and 29. On the other side of the slit, such panels are 55, 47 and 51. The score lines provide a further set of triangular panels on each side of slit 87 each of which has its base along the slit and its apex at a side edge of the blank. Such sets of panels includes panels 35, 31 and 27 on one side of the set and 45, 49 and 53 on the other side. It may be noted that panels 27 and 53, while integrally joined along their bases (which bases are represented by the dashed line 89) so as together to constitute a single diamondshaped panel, may nonetheless be regarded as individual triangular panels. There may be a score line between panels 27 and 53 if desired.

In order to facilitate fabrication of the package, the blank includes tabs 91 and 93 for securing together the corresponding edges 63, 73 and 61, 71. As will be understood from the description hereinbelow, there may instead be tabs adjacent edges 61 and 63. In either case, it is helpful to regard edges 71 and 73 as being essentially defined by score line portions 75b and 81a, it being clear that the width of tabs 91 and 93 may be subject to variation. In fact, these tabs may be of irregular shape, in which case the notched edges of the blank would of course be regarded as being defined by score lines portions 75b and 81a. Similarly, if tabs are provided at the pointed end of the blank, it is again helpful to define the pointed end by score lines which would coincide with the presently-illustrated position of edges 61 and 63. Regardless of any tabs, then, the blank may in any event be regarded as being of chevron shape in order to facilitate geometric division of the blank into triangular panels. The corners of tabs 91 and 93 are angled so as to be generally parallel to the respective score lines as shown so that when the package is folded, these tabs will not interfere with the panels adjacent those panels to which the tabs are adhered as explained hereinbelow.

It may be noted that the blank may be scored to compensate for the thickness of the blank material. For example, there may be a slight discontinuity at the intersection of score lines 81 and 75 represented as a small displacement of these score lines or space 95 along slit 87. This space 95 may approximate the thickness of the blank material so that, when the blank is folded in the manner explained hereinbelow, this slight displacement of the score lines compensates for the thickness of the material where tabs 91 and 93 are folded and adhered. This prevents the package from warping slightly as might otherwise occur.

Similarly, the edges 61 and 63 at the pointed end of the blank may, as illustrated, fall just short of the position indicated by the dashed lines 61 and 63' by an amount approximating the thickness of the blank material to again compensate for this thickness upon folding of the package. Dashed lines 61' and 63' mark the position of the pointed end edges of the blank which would make panels 53 and 27 exactly identical with the other panels of the blank.

To provide the package illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, blank 57 is folded along the score lines by folding the two sections thereof on each side of slit 87 in opposite directions. For example, the section which includes panels 25- 35 may be folded by pulling edge 73 toward the viewer (as the blank is viewed in FIG. 4) and folding this section along each of the portions of the fold lines 75-85 in this section. Tab 91 is then adhered to the margin portion of panel 27 adjacent edge 63 by cementing or glueing, for example, so that the portion of score line 75 adjacent tab 91 essentially coincides with edge 63. The section of the blank which includes panels 45-55 is then folded in the opposite direction by pulling edge 71 away from the viewer (as the blank is viewed in FIG. 4). This section is folded along those portions of fold lines 75-85 in this section. Tab 93 is then adhered, like tab 91, to the margin portion of panel 53 adjacent edge 61 so that the portion of score line 81 adjacent tab 93 essentially coincides with edge 61.

Preferably, a sleeve, designated generally 97, is telescoped on the package for stiffening, as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 6. Sleeve 97 is folded from a blank of light, thin material such as paper indicated generally at 99 in FIG. 5.

FIG. shows sides 101 and 103 of the sleeve blank to be of a curved, undulating configuration to provide symmetry with respect to the lengthwise centerline of the blank. Thus the width of the blank varies along its length. This provides a novel appearance, as seen in FIG. 6. However, the sides of the sleeve blank may instead be straight or in other shapes, such as zig-zagged, if desired.

Score lines 105, 107, 109 and 111 are provided across the width of the blank at evenly-spaced intervals so as to provide sleeve corners which register or coincide with the corners of package 11, as shown in FIG. 6. These score lines divide blank 99 into four panels 113, 115, 117 and 119. The interval or length between the right-hand edge, designated 121, and score line 117 approximates or is slightly greater than the periphery of package 11. The total length of the blank is somewhat greater than this periphery so that a tab 123 is provided between score line 111 and the left-hand edge, designated 125, of this blank. Thus the blank may be folded along fold lines 105-111 and tab 123 may be suitably adhered to either face of panel 113 to provide a sleeve which fits closely around the package when telescoped thereon.

It is important that the width of the blank along two of the score lines, e.g., score lines 105 and 109 as illustrated, be somewhat greater than the distance between the corresponding points of the compartments of package 11. Such corresponding points are designated 127, 129 and 131, 135. Score lines 105 and 107, which are shown as constituting corners of sleeve 97 in FIG. 6, are seen to be greater in length than the distance between corresponding points 127, 129 or corresponding points 131, 133. As a result, the sleeve has gables which extend out from these points when telescoped on the package to enhance the sleeves stiffening effect. The sleeve may have printing or artistic designs thereon in order to serve the additional function of carrying a commercial message et cetera.

In using the package for containing light bulbs, the bulbous portion of each bulb is merely pressed through a triangular opening in the respective bulb compartment, the package material deforming to admit the bulb. When thus confined within the compartments, the bulbs are well-protected against damage. The bulbous portions of the light bulbs are well-confined and thus are not exposed to injury. The base portions are safely nestled against the respective compartments and are also covered by the sleeve for additional protection, when the sleeve is added.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a blank is illustrated which is designated generally 135 and which comprises two chevron-shaped portions or halves 137 and 139, each of which is like the blank shown in FIG. 4. The two halves are joined along a portion of their respective side edges, more specifically, they are joined along the length 141 of a respective triangular panel 143, 145 of each half. Blank half 137 has its pointed end toward the left and blank half 139 has its pointed end pointing in the opposite direction toward the right, so that the halves are oppositely oriented. A slit 147 begins at the left side of the pattern from respective adjacent in-register corners of halves 137, 139 and extends toward the joined common bases of respective triangular panels of the halves. A similar slit 149 extends from the respective opposite ends of the halves, again from adjacent respective corners. which are in register. Other than being joined along a common length of their side edges, blank halves 13-7 and 139 are each identical with the blank shown in FIG. 4.

When blank 135 is folded along the score lines of its two halves 137 and 139, and the tabs thereof secured, all in the manner as previously described with reference to the blank of FIG. 4, a package results as shown in FIG. 8. This package, designated generally 151 is seen to comprise four tandemly-oriented bulb compartments designated generally 153-159 and, like the package of FIG. 1, is of octahedral geometry.

A package having six compartments may similarly be provided by utilizing a blank of three portions, each of which is identical with the blank of FIG. 4 but which are successively oriented in opposite directions and are joined along common bases of respective adjacent central triangular panels. This principle may be extended to provide packages having '8, 10, 12, or more tandem compartments. It should be observed that by perforating the joined edges of pairs of portions (such as along length 141 between halves 137 and 13-9 of FIG. 7), a package of a long tandem string of compartments may readily be separated into individual two-compartment packages, like the package of FIG. 1, by tearing along the perforations. This feature makes possible an attrac tive type of commercial packaging display wherein a package having a long string of compartments (each containing a bulbous object such as a light bulb or Christmas ornament etc.) may be hung vertically and individual two-compartment packages may then be successively torn off. The package of FIG. 8, for example, may be divided into two separate packages 161 and 163, each having two compartments. Of course, a sleeve as previously described may also be used if desired, being either telescoped on or wrapped about the package.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

-As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A package for a plurality of bulbous objects, said package being folded from a blank of chevron shape, the blank having a pointed end defined by a first pair of intersecting edges angled with respect to the side edges of the blank and a notched end defined by a second pair of intersecting edges each of which is substantially parallel to a corresponding edge of said first pair, the blank having a slit along the center line of the blank beginning at the intersection of said second pair of edges and extending toward the intersection of said first pair of edges thereby dividing the blank into two sections, the blank having a first set of score lines each angled with respect to the side edges of the blank and substantially parallel to one of the edges of said first pair, and a second set of score lines each angled with respect to the side edges of the blank and substantially parallel to the other edge of said first pair, said sets of score lines intersecting substantially at the slit and dividing the blank into alternate sets of triangular panels, there being one set of said triangular panels on each side of the slit each triangular panel of which has its base along a side edge of the blank and its apex at the slit, and a further set of said triangular panels on each side of the slit each triangular panel of which has its base along the slit and its apex at a side edge of the blank whereby, when the sections of the blank are each folded along the score lines in opposite directions and corresponding edges of said first and second pairs are secured together, said package includes a plurality of compartments each having a plurality of peripheral triangular walls constituted by said panels and a pair of triangular openings at opposite ends of the compartment through one of which openings a bulbous object may be inserted and thereby confined within the compartment.

2. A package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sets of score lines divide the blank into six triangular panels in each section, whereby each compartment of the package is octahedral and has six peripheral triangular walls.

3. A package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said triangular panels are equilateral.

4. A package as set forth in claim 1 wherein said triangular panels are isosceles.

5. A package as set forth in claim 2 wherein a pair of the intersecting score lines define a pair of the triangular panels each having one side defined by a respective one of the first pair of intersecting edges, and the slit terminates at the intersection of said pair of score lines, whereby said pair of triangular panels are joined along their bases and the compartments are joined together by the joined pair of triangular panels.

6. A package as set forth in claim 1 wherein the blank includes a tab at one of said intersecting edges of each section of the blank for securing together the correspond ing edges of said first and second pairs of edges.

7. A package as set forth in claim 1 wherein the package further comprises a sleeve telescoped thereon.

8. A package as set forth in claim 7 wherein the sleeve is folded from a blank having a length at least as great as the periphery of the package, the sleeve blank having substantially parallel score lines coinciding with edges of the package when the sleeve is folded and having side edges spaced to provide gables at corners of the package when the sleeve is telescoped thereon.

9. A package for a plurality of bulbous objects, said package being folded from a blank having a plurality of portions each of chevron shape, each of said portions having a pointed end defined by a first pair of intersecting edges angled with respect to the side edges of the portion and a notched end defined by a second pair of intersecting edges each of which is substantially parallel to a corresponding edge of said first pair, the portion having a slit along the center line of the portion beginning at the intersection of said second pair of edges and extending toward the intersection of said first pair of edges thereby dividing the portion into two sections, the portion having a first set of score lines each angled with respect to the side edges of the portion and substantially parallel to one of the edges of said first pair, and a second set of score lines each angled with respect to the side edges of the portion and substantially parallel to the other edge of said first pair, said sets of score lines intersecting substantially at the slit and dividing the portion into alternate sets of triangular panels, there being one set of three of said triangular panels on each side of the slit each triangular panel of which has its base along a side edge of the portion and its apex at the slit, and a further set of three of said triangular panels on each side of the slit each triangular panel of which has its base along the slit and its apex at a side edge of the portion said portions being successively oriented in opposite directions and joined together along common bases of respective adjacent central ones of said triangular panels whereby, when the sections of each portion are each folded along the score lines in opposite directions and corresponding edges of said first and second pairs are secured together, said package includes a tandem even-numbered plurality of compartments each having a plurality of peripheral triangular walls constituted by said panels and a pair of triangular openings at opposite ends of the compartment through one of which openings a bulbous object may be inserted and thereby confined Within the compartment.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,891,839 12/1932 Robinson 229-39 B 1,996,778 4/1935 Wellman 229-39 B 2,562,655 7/1951 Belanger 229-39 B 2,936,939 5/1960 Lundquist 229-8 2,974,841 3/1961 Van Leer 229-8 X 3,051,369 8/1962 Drake et a1. 206-46 FRAG. X 3,302,843 2/ 1967 Sheehan 206- R DAVIS T. MOOR HEAD, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

206-46 FRAG., 65 R; 229-8 

